Fable Anniversary: An old favorite, still fresh as ever (review)

Ten years ago, "Fable" introduced players to a vibrant fantasy world where every choice carried a consequence.

Releasing to rave reviews and gaining an immediate fan following, the original entry gave way to a popular trilogy and helped shape a generation of role-playing video games. Impressively -- and perhaps even a bit surprisingly -- many of those old charms that beguiled gamers a decade ago still carry weight today.

I hadn't expected to fall back in love with "Fable Anniversary" (Lionhead Studios; $39.99; Xbox 360), but the high-definition re-release proves it can hold its own with the best of today's RPG giants.

It's easy to slip into the familiar role of a famous hero, whatever that may happen to be.

Are you a champion of the people or a merciless villain? For the heroes of Albion, all that matters is that their legends grow.

Perform a few good deeds and your angelic presence will be a welcome sight to any passerby. Being feared is just as good as being loved, however, and with enough evil acts you'll grow demonic horns that will send townsfolk scurrying at the sight of you.

"Fable Anniversary" contains the original story, as well as the additional content from "The Lost Chapters," which launched a year later. All of the action has been recreated in beautiful HD. Longtime fans of the game won't see anything new, but will revel in the marvelous revival of an Xbox classic.

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For newcomers, and especially Xbox 360 owners who joined the series with "Fable 2," this is the perfect way to experience how the magical journey began.

Make no mistake, there are many moments in which "Fable" shows its age. Being forced to play as a male character feels outdated, especially when the Hero's Guild is filled with female adventurers. Freezes, framerate stutters, long loading times and clipping issues also plague the action.

All of those shortcomings, however, blend quietly into the background as the breathtaking world of Albion opens up before players. The main quest is a wonderful mix of lighthearted fun and serious combat, but it's barely a taste of entire tale.

Become a wealthy landlord or a successful trader. Be the scourge of the bandits who prey on innocents. Find a romantic interest and settle down. Set a chicken-kicking distance record. Or simply gorge yourself on pies and get stupendously fat.

Play whatever path best suits your wishes, and let the bards sing of your exploits for ages to come. That level of choice is a luxury gamers have grown accustomed to over the past decade, but seeing it recreated here reinforces just how influential "Fable" has been.

Most impressive of all is the way the game's combat system has held up over time. Players use a mix of melee, archery and magic when fighting. Dancing around a dozen low-level insects requires an entirely different strategy than fending off one giant troll.

Chaining together hits without taking damage raises your combat multiplier, yielding massively higher experience gains. As such, there's real incentive to turn every fight into an elaborate battle, swapping attacks, defense and potions on the fly to ensure a big payoff the next time you upgrade your skills.

And while your hero's visual customization may be lacking, there is virtually no end to unique ways to achieve fighting dominance. Players can boost strength to wield massive hammers or guile to become master thieves. Speed, accuracy, toughness, health: Every attribute plays a role.

Magic, however, is where "Fable" really makes its mark. Shoot lightning from your fingertips that leaps from one victim to the next. Slow time to a standstill and hack away at helpless enemies. Call forth ghostly blades or arrows to amplify your physical weapons.

Players have the option of choosing between traditional controls or those from Fable 2 and 3. While the latter are simplified, I highly recommend going the old-school route to savor the joy of quickly swapping between magical attacks during a heated brawl.

In "Fable Anniversary," I expected to revisit a beloved classic that once exemplified what other role-playing games should strive to achieve. Imagine my surprise to find that's still the case today.

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